Ryan McBeth, an accomplished patent litigator, has joined McKool Smith as a principal in the firm’s Houston office.
McBeth, a former computer engineer for IBM, will focus on intellectual property matters, with an emphasis on patent, trade-secret and trademark disputes, the firm announced.
He comes to McKool Smith from Bracewell’s Houston office, where he’s been a special counsel since March 2017. His IP practice, including Fortune 500 clients, has involved complex technologies, including those used in oil-and-gas exploration, computer hardware and software, and wireless-communications systems.
“Ryan’s extensive litigation experience in the energy and tech sectors will be incredibly valuable to our clients,” David Sochia, McKool Smith’s managing principal, said in a written statement.
“In addition to his litigation experience, Ryan’s background as a computer engineer and inventor will add a helpful perspective to our national intellectual property practice.”
McBeth said in the same written statement, “I am thrilled to be joining McKool Smith’s market-leading intellectual property practice. The firm’s depth of talent in patent litigation and unmatched success in high-stakes trials are a perfect fit for my practice.”
Before turning to law, McBeth, 40, oversaw microprocessor- and server-development projects for IBM. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003 and his law degree from the University of Houston in 2011.